Leila Sales' THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE Coming to the Stage?

Tony Award® winning producer Kevin McCollum (In the Heights, Avenue Q, Rent) and Emmy Award® nominated television producer Michael Novick ("Glee") just announced they have optioned the rights to develop Leila Sales' critically acclaimed young adult novel This Song Will Save Your Life for stage and film. Leila Sales's deal was negotiated by CAA and Sales's literary agent, Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management.

Leila Sales's breakout novel This Song Will Save Your Life has received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist and is one of the most buzzed-about young adult novels in recent years.

In Leila Sales's darkly comic and fearlessly smart style, This Song Will Save Your Life is the story of a girl's rise from social outcast to DJ sensation. Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski's strong suit. Throughout her life, she's been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up on everything. Just when she's at her lowest moment, Elise's whole world is turned upside down: she discovers an underground nightclub, indie rock, and a band of misfits that prove that there's a place for everyone, even if it's somewhere you'd never have expected. Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, This Song Will Save Your Life is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

Producer Kevin McCollum said "I've always been most attracted to completely original stories that illustrate the human condition and the way in which we create our own families. We were drawn to Leila's beautiful and inspiring story because we thought the journey of the main character was compelling, and the way she weaves her story and the songs together is unique-a story tailor-made for both the stage and the screen. We are so excited to work with this up-and-coming new voice to share her story with a broader audience."

Producer Michael Novick said "When I moved back to New York I had my sights set on two things: Finding properties with the potential for both stage and screen, and finding the right person to develop the material with. Leila's wonderful story and the dynamic characters she created, coupled with Kevin McCollum's taste and talent as a producer, feels like a perfect storm. I am inspired and excited to develop This Song Will Save Your Life with Kevin and his team."

Leila Sales said "I've been blown away by teen readers' responses to This Song Will Save Your Life. I think all authors want to know that their words are making the world a little bit better for someone out there. I'm thrilled that this story may be shared with an even wider audience. Like most music lovers, I am such a fan of Kevin and Michael's work, so it's an honor to have this project with them. I can't wait to see how they interpret this story. I bet it's going to be very rock 'n' roll-just how Elise would want it!"

This Song Will Save Your Life, by Leila Sales, is published by Farar, Straus and Giroux Books or Young Readers. Hardcover Young Adult Fiction. ISBN 978-0-374-35138-0. Ages 12 and up. Grades 7 and up. $17.99. Available now wherever books are sold.